An associate of the late Jeffrey Epstein, Ghislaine Maxwell, has been arrested by the FBI, according to local news.

But who is she, and what charges is she facing?

Who is Ghislaine Maxwell?

Ghislaine Maxwell is a British socialite who is reported to have been the 'right-hand woman' to Jeffrey Epstein.

She is the daughter of media tycoon Robert Maxwell, and founded an ocean-advocacy group in 2012.

She was accused by many women of helping procure underage sex partners for Jeffrey Epstein.

Maxwell has previously repeatedly denied wrongdoing and called some of the claims against her “absolute rubbish”.

Why was Ghislaine Maxwell arrested?

Ghislaine Maxwell was arrested on Thursday, June 2 as part of a federal investigation which continued after the death of Jeffrey Epstein in August 2019 while he was awaiting trial on sex-trafficking charges.

What charges is Ghislaine Maxwell facing?

An indictment made public on Thursday said Maxwell “assisted, facilitated and contributed to Jeffrey Epstein’s abuse of minor girls by, among other things, helping Epstein to recruit, groom, and ultimately abuse” girls under the age of 18.

The indictment included counts of conspiracy to entice minors to travel to engage in illegal sex acts, enticement of a minor to travel to engage in illegal sex acts, conspiracy to transport minors with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity, transportation of a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity and two counts of perjury.

The US attorney's office in Manhattan will hold a press conference on the charges at midday (local time).